Come forward for talks, Soren tells Maoists

Ahead of the chief ministers’ meeting with Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in Kolkata on February 9, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren on Wednesday renewed his appeal to Maoists to shun violence and hold talks.

“Give up violence and come forward for talks,” Mr. Soren said at a function to announce Rs 15 crore welfare projects here. The media could help in bringing Maoists to the negotiating table, he said.

Last week, Maoists had issued a press release setting conditions, including lifting of the ban on it and release of jailed leaders, before a dialogue with the state government.

The chief minister also said the state supported the Centre’s initiatives against Maoists.